Different association between physical activity and physical function according to walking independence in hospital-based rehabilitation program patients with sub-acute stroke

To investigate the association between physical activity and physical function in ambulatory independent and non-independent patients with sub-acute stroke during hospitalization. This cross-sectional observational study included 107 patients with stroke admitted to a rehabilitation unit. The average daily number of steps taken was considered as physical activity. Physical function was assessed using the 6 min walk test (6MWT), lower limb Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and Berg balance scale (BBS). Walking independence was assessed using the functional ambulation category (FAC). The subjects were divided into a walking independence group (FAC ≥ 4) and a non-independence group (FAC ≤ 3). Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the daily number of steps and physical function in each group. The daily number of steps (p